IT is often said that when it comes to finding a job, it’s all about getting a foot in the door. That saying is certainly true in my case; initially I went into Shark Hanlon’s picking stones, before eventually working my way up to become head lad.

None of my family had any direct involvement in racing but my dad liked to watch the horses on the telly. When I was very young, he allowed my two brothers and myself to place a bet on the Irish Grand National one year. Whether it was a good or bad thing, I picked the subsequent winner, The Bunny Boiler, and so began a lifelong passion for racing!

I left school at 16 and started working for Tesco in Tullow. However, my interest in horses was always very strong, so much so that I was determined to find my way into the industry. I moved down to Kilkenny and began a FÁS course which included a period of work placement.

I was lucky enough to be sent to Danville House Farm, a livery yard/riding school, run by Barbara Stallard.

Although, I was there to do some painting, Barbara was kind enough to allow me near the horses. Up to then, I had never even touched a horse, let alone sat on one, so really I had to start from scratch.

After the work placement ended, I stayed on at the farm, spending a further three-and-a-half years working for Barbara. I had learned how to ride during my early days there, so was working exclusively with the horses during my full-time employment.

Following a couple of weeks break after leaving Danville House, I was ready to work again. I called Shark Hanlon, a local trainer, who Dad followed religiously. Shark had nothing going at the time but I tried again a few weeks later.

Again, he said he had no job but then asked if I would consider picking stones. I had nothing better to do at the time and saw it as a foot in the door, so decided to give it a go. When that job was finished, I was asked to do some painting around the yard. Shark noticed that I was spending all my free time around the horses so when I asked to stay on and help out with them he agreed.

Responsibilities

Rachael Blackmore was still there when I started off and after she broke her arm in a fall one day, Shark asked would I come in to help feed the horses the following morning. Gradually I just took on more and more responsibilities and, as different lads and girls moved on, I found myself moving up the ladder to eventually become head lad.

Now, my main role is to ensure that everything runs smoothly and efficiently around the yard, as well as representing the stable at the races. I feed the horses morning and evening, take them on and off the walker, bandage them, bring them in and out of paddocks, and so on.

Shark is a great boss to work for; he will never see you stuck and is the first man you would call if you have a problem. If he can’t help you, he will make sure to find someone who can.

My own personal highlight during my time with the stable was undoubtedly the Galway win of Magna Cartor in 2017. He was a very headstrong horse, who got wound up very easily so the parade ring was always a worry with him. We were confident that he could go very well if we were able to keep a lid on him before the race itself.

Thankfully, it worked out perfectly and he went on to win at 20/1. I got great satisfaction from that win, as I took over the horse early in his career, after Rachael Blackmore left. It was nice to see all our hard work and patience rewarded with a festival success.

Philip Reynolds bought Mighty Stowaway recently and it’s great to have an owner of his standing in our yard. As we already have Rewritetherules (owned by Diane O’Rourke) here, it will be exciting if they go head to head in the Foxhunter at Cheltenham. Either way, it is a privilege to be looking after both horses each day.

Looking further ahead, I am really looking forward to a homebred four-year-old named Back On The Bridle. She is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner, Fiddlerontheroof, and has been showing us all the right signs.

Chris McGill was in conversation with John O’Riordan.